New Zealand: Best BIB Study Option
New Zealand is the best option to study a Bachelor of International Business. Why? Consider these costs: The range of fees in US dollars for equivalent undergraduate business programmes is as follows: Median fee NZ $5,576 Aus $5,970, UK $10,204, Canada $6,102, US Public $10,210 US Private $23,936 (per year). The cost of living for a year is: NZ $5,523, Aus $6,043, UK $8,783, Canada $6,906, US Public $8,529 and US Private $8,529.
The median length of a programme is: NZ 3.0, Aus 3.0, UK 3.0, Canada 4.0, US Public 4.0 and US Private 4.0 years. The median total cost (living and studying) is: NZ $33,491, Aus $37,006, UK $56,961, Canada $55,087, US Public $80,872 and US Private $137,010.
Source: IDP (Australia) August 2004
Programme Changes
Recognition for BIB programme
Good news for students enrolled in AIS St Helens Bachelor of International Business (BIB), the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) has just listed this programme as one of its recognised accounting degrees. The ACCA is a prestigious United Kingdom based accounting society, which has branches all around the world.
For further information see (www.accabusiness.org)
Lengthened programme benefits domestic students
NZQA approval has been given to extend the approved length of the University of Otago Foundation Year Bridging Course from 10 to 12 weeks. This means that domestic students enrolling in the January intake will be eligible for loans and allowances.
The extension provides for additional class work needed for the Mathematics and Accounting components of the course, and for additional time for revision and assessments in all subjects.
Date change for next IELTS course
The next IELTS preparation course at the main campus will start on October 4, not September 13 as previously advertised. The reason for the delay is that AIS St Helens is trialing a longer 12-week course to meet student demands.
The English Language Centre’s 12-week IELTS preparation course will be divided into two six-week modules. This will be excellent preparation for students who aim to sit IELTS as well as other academic English tests.
In the first six-weeks of the course students will work on the easier aspects of the test: sections 1 and 2 Speaking and Listening, practice of the easier Reading questions, and, in Writing, Task 2 (essays) as well as some Task 1 question types (e.g. pie charts, tables). The second six-week module will extend students and cover more difficult aspects of the IELTS test: Section 3 Speaking, Sections 3 and 4 Listening, the challenging Reading questions and the other Task 1 Writing questions (processes, bar charts, line graphs, diagrams). Students will also be revising essays.
Students from a higher level (Advanced and those that have been in Upper Intermediate for six weeks) should be able to cope with the second module, while others (Intermediate and those new to Upper Intermediate) would be advised to attend for the entire 12 weeks. There will be an Entry Test for this class near the end of September.
Travel and Tourism programme changes
The Travel and Tourism programmes have had a variety of changes recently. These changes are currently before NZQA, and AIS St Helens expects their approval shortly. Changes to programme names include:
- The Preliminary Certificate in Travel and Tourism, which becomes the Certificate in Tourism, Level 2.
- The Advanced Certificate in Travel and Tourism, which becomes the Certificate in Travel and Tourism, Level 3.
- The Diploma in Travel and Tourism, which becomes two qualifications: the Certificate in Travel and Tourism, Level 3 and the Certificate in Travel, Level 4.
The Certificate in Travel and Tourism will have some changes in content. This will include more emphasis on improving English skills; an introduction to computing skills for the travel and tourism industry and the inclusion of a British Airways endorsed Passport into Travel Certificate. Students will gain credits towards the National Certificate in Tourism and Travel, Level 2, but will no longer complete the full National Certificate unless they continue on to the next level in travel and tourism.
New travel and tourism programmes are also being offered. The Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism, Core Skills is a one-semester programme that will prepare students for work in either the tourism or hospitality industries. These are the industries, which are particularly calling for trained entry-level personnel in New Zealand, as currently there is a shortage of good skills in these areas. The programme will include basic communication, administration and selling skills, a preparation for work module, and knowledge of New Zealand as a tourist destination.
The Certificate in Hospitality, Level 3, will include the practical skills needed for a career in the hospitality industry, particularly in food and beverage service, room preparation and front office skills. The applications for these two certificates are ready to be sent to NZQA. It is hoped the Core Skills programme will be able to start early 2005.
The other new programme being considered is the Certificate in Tourism, Level 4. Successful students of this programme will earn the International City and Guilds Certificate in Tourism. It will include introductions to the worldwide tourism industry and tourism geography, tourism marketing, managing a tourist attraction, customer service and first aid. The Certificate in Hospitality and Tourism, Core Skills, or equivalent, will be a pre-requisite for this programme. This application should be ready to be sent to NZQA in about one month.
Policy Regarding Student Failure
The Directors Team has agreed to the following policy initially for the September 2004 semester only. Students who fail one course are able to repeat that course at zero percent of the tuition fee. However the resource fee will still need to be paid for the repeat. Students who fail another course (second) are able to repeat that course at 50% of the tuition fee. However the resource fee will still need to be paid in full for the repeat. Students who fail a third course must repeat that course at full tuition fee plus the resource fee.
This policy is for Bachelor degree courses only. Course failures may be at any stage of the degree (1,2,3). The policy applies in the same way to multiple failures of the same course and to failures of various courses.
New Dormitory Fees
New fees have been set for those choosing to reside in AIS St Helens’ dormitory. The fees are applicable to students of the 2005 new intake. However, students enrolled between 01/09/04 to 31/12/04 can follow the old or the new package. The old package will be applicable until 31/12/04.
Greater fee flexibility and improved meals are the features of the new dormitory changes. Now students can choose to refund the meal fee or transfer it to their dormitory charge. Students choosing the old package may ask for the meal card from the dormitory. Those staying in the dormitory have to fill in the new dormitory application form for the new package. Those who do not lodge the new application to the dormitory may follow the old package.
The meal-pricing plan, which includes breakfast and dinner are as follows:
Meal Plan Prepaid: Weekly = $56.00 per week including GST.
Meal Plan Prepaid: Monthly = $224.00 per calendar month including GST. Pay for four weeks (28 days) and get full months meals (up to three days free). This pricing plan will take effect from the 1st September 2004.
The opening hours of the cafeteria are Monday to Friday 7.00am- 7.00pm, Saturday, Sunday and Public Holidays 9.00am – 2.00pm, 4.00pm – 7.00pm. Students can find out more about these new changes, meal menus and on campus dormitory accommodation charges for 2005 from the dormitory staff.
Orientation Day
This year’s Orientation Day will be remembered for sumo wrestling, singing idols and sensational prizes.
The new students who attended orientation on Friday September 3 participated in a variety of fun activities, including The Great Race. Modeled after the popular television show with the same name, pairs were required to find locations in the Asquith campus and carry out tasks. The three winners were then required to sing to the crowd before they collected their prize. Other games included suited up sumo wrestlers, which was particularly entertaining.
Prizes at this year’s Orientation Day were movie tickets, sweets, DVD players and the grand prize, a yellow sports car kindly donated by Ford. During the lunch break President Richard Goodall welcomed the new students. He said orientation day was a good opportunity to build friendships with other students and staff. He encouraged the students to make a friend with someone from another country. He said it is important that students make the most of the multicultural and international atmosphere at AIS St Helens.
Indonesian Independence Day Celebrations
More than one hundred people gathered to celebrate the Indonesia’s Independence Day at AIS St Helens recently.
Although the actual Independence Day was on August 17, the group celebrated the occasion on Saturday August 28.
AIS St Helens sponsored the event by providing lunch and juice. MBA student Iman Prawoto and his friend organised the day, which included sports such as table tennis, basketball and badminton. This was the first time they had organised such an event.
AIS St Helens Student Services Officer Djaja Kurniawan Kusno says it was a successful day and they hope they can repeat it again next year
Hawaiian Visitors
A warm AIS St Helens welcome was extended to visitors of Hawaii’s Polynesian Cultural Centre recently.
The non-profit Polynesian Cultural Centre (PCC) is a popular tourist attraction in Hawaii. The aim of the centre is to preserve the cultural heritage of Polynesia. Inside the grounds there are villages, which are modelled after islands in the Pacific region. The majority of staff, at the PCC centre, study at the adjacent Brigham Young University (BYU). The profits students make from their cultural performances or guiding activities help towards the funding of their tuition.
AIS St Helens association with Hawaii’s PCC and BYU Hawaii is long-standing. Students successfully completing the UOFY course offered at AIS St Helens have a great opportunity to study at the Hawaiian university. This pathway is exciting for students keen to pursue academic study and develop performing art skills.
It was the first time Von Orgill the President of Polynesian Cultural Centre had visited New Zealand and AIS St Helens. Accompanying him was John Huaina Jr, Vice President, Human Resources, Alfred Grace, Director of Sales and Marketing for PCC, Mike Sudlow, Director of International Admissions, Arapata Heha, Associate Dean of Admissions and Professor Barry Mitchell- Associate Professor of Education.
Upon arriving in New Zealand the group split into two, one group touring the North Island and the second group touring the South Island. One of the outcomes of the visit is that AIS St Helens is now considering establishing Polynesian cultural classes to help strengthen students’ cultural, singing and dancing skills.
AIS St Helens’ Students Attend Speech Competitions
Japanese speech competition
The Auckland Regional Japanese Speech Contest 2004 held at AIS Asquith Campus on Saturday August 28 was very successful.
AIS St Helens offered financial and moral support at the competition, which attracted 29 student competitors from four Auckland tertiary institutions- AIS, AUT, Unitec and the University of Auckland. The Japan Foundation sponsored the speech contest.
Academic Director Mike Roberts, as a representative of AIS St Helens, delivered a welcome speech in both Japanese and English at the opening ceremony. The speeches were delivered in Japanese and there were three categories (pre-intermediate, intermediate and advanced).
Three AIS students, Kap Kyu An, Cleo Leggan and Po Lam Tse participated in the pre-intermediate category. Although they did not win any prizes, their Japanese Lecturer Koichi Tanaka praised them for their effort.
“They practiced very hard before the contest and did their best. I believe it was a great experience for them and it encouraged them to study Japanese harder,” says Mr Tanaka.
Approximately 60 people, including students, Japanese teachers and other guests, attended the event. Ms Yumi Eto, the National Advisor in Japanese at the Association of Colleges of Education in New Zealand, Mr Hiroaki Takemoto, the Vice-Consul Consulate-General of Japan in Auckland and Mr Grant Taylor, President of the Auckland Association of Japanese Language Teachers (AAJLT) were invited to judge the competitions.
Chinese Language Speech Competition
AIS St Helens’ student Cleo Leggan has won first prize in her category at the 8th Chinese Language Speech Competition.
The annual speech contest was held on August 21st at the University of Auckland and was open to students with one, two, three or more years of formal Chinese language study and junior and senior secondary school students. This year approximately 100 students from secondary and tertiary institutions in Auckland, plus students from the University of Waikato and some Rotorua schools took part.
Nora Yao the president of the Auckland Chinese Language Association was impressed with the standard of the speeches.
“The level of the speeches was higher than before. They are more enthusiastic,” she said.
Cleo entered the category for students who have completed up to one year of formal Chinese language study. She competed against other prize-winning students from Grace Mandarin School, Auckland University of Technology, Unitec and The University of Auckland.
Each student could talk for three minutes on any topic they liked.
Immigration News
New Zealand Immigration Programme- Fortnightly Residency Statistics - 1 September 2004.
The most recent selection of Expressions of Interest (EOI) under the Skilled Migrant Category took place on 1 September 2004. The selection point was 100. As a result, 1,434 EOIs, representing 3,647 people, will now undergo preliminary verification to determine if an invitation to apply for residency will be issued.
Agent Seminar
The 2004 agent seminar held on August 11 at the Asquith campus, proved a useful experience for those who attended.
The event gave AIS St Helens an opportunity to introduce the Deakin University Master of Commerce, the new Graduate Diploma in IT and the proposed Bachelor in Tourism Management. A new entry option for prospective BIB students was also discussed. Now students with an IELTS score below the direct entry score who are considering the BIB programme, can enter directly into the supported stream of BIB.
Seminar organiser and Student Services Marketing Officer Jason Li also talked about the proposed new resources for English Proficiency Assessment (EPA). This new material is expected to be ready by the end of the year and available on the website.
Another topic of the day was cross-crediting options for students wishing to transfer to AIS St Helens from partner institutions. AIS St Helens has agreements with EF Education, New Zealand Institute of Education, Edenz, International Travel College, New Zealand Management Academies, Pacific Training Institute, Thames Business School, Waitec and Wollongong University College.
Every year AIS St Helens holds an agents seminar. This year approximately 75 people, including agents and AIS St Helens’ partner institutions, attended the two-hour seminar. Compared to previous years, this year’s seminar was shorter in length and agents were asked what topics they thought were relevant.
Jason says the feedback from agents was positive.“The agents said this year’s seminar was very useful, because of the new programmes being introduced and the new entry criteria.”
Choir Prepares For Graduation
Have you ever considered yourself a singer, but felt too shy to sing in public? Fear not for AIS St Helens has just established a choir.
For all those shower-singing chortlers out there, you can now stretch your vocal chords more frequently. The choir meets at the Asquith cafeteria on Thursdays from 4:30-5:30pm. These practice times will continue until graduation in September. Students and staff from all the different cultural groups are invited to participate.
Academic Director Mike Roberts says he has sat in graduation on several occasions, where paid performers have entertained the crowd. He felt AIS St Helens should be able to utilise its own talent.“ These kind of activities, be they sporting, social or cultural, help to create our identity and define who we are. Study gives us knowledge, but involvement of this kind gives us soul and makes school a memorable experience.”
Dr Roberts has a vision for extra-curricula activities in a number of different areas. He would like to see staff volunteering as staff coaches/advisors to sports teams, cultural clubs or social groups. He envisages AIS St Helens teams participating in local leagues as representatives of AIS St Helens. “ If the idea really takes off perhaps there could be inter-house (intramural) competitions from which representative teams are selected to participate in outside competitions. Other ideas include a speech contest, debating and a dance or music festival.
Dr Roberts hopes the choir is a success, because it could be a forerunner for some of the other ideas occurring.
“ We have an occasion – the graduation to act as a catalyst. We have a core of students, who are used to singing in a choir, who can help first timers learn their parts. We also have staff and people in our support community who are prepared to work with students to make it happen.”
Currently there are about 16 students in the choir. Ideally they would like to double these numbers to make the choir sound really good.
Being A Tidy Kiwi
Each weekend as many students are sleeping or socializing, a small group of Korean and Japanese international students are walking the streets. The dedicated team spends a few hours every Saturday and Sunday filling up rubbish sacks with litter collected from Auckland’s city streets.
The team has been carrying out their good deed for several months now and they are attracting attention for their effort. The New Zealand Herald, Local television programme Asia Downunder and broadcasting personality Paul Holmes have all interviewed the students.
Won Joon Choo the Korean volunteer team leader says several members of public ask them why they are doing it. His reply is he wants to keep Auckland tidy. Won Joon says cleaning up the city is also a good way to show Kiwis that as international students they do care about New Zealand. Each clean-up session lasts about two hours and in that time approximately five large rubbish sacks of waste are collected.
Won Joon is currently studying English at AIS St Helens. It was here that he met the founding member – Hiroaki Hasegawa, who leads the Japanese team called Rainbow. Through using the internet and talking with other international students, Hiro was instrumental in gathering the team together. Initially they began with five student volunteers; now there are five Japanese and 13 Korean students from various institutes.
Student Protection Fee Policy
Imagine turning up to class only to discover that your course is cancelled and you are unable to recover the thousands of dollars you spent in student fees.
Thankfully this scenario should not occur if you are a student at a registered Private Training Establishment. Under the Student Protection Fee Policy the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) requires all Private Training Establishments to make arrangements for the protection of student fees.
One option is that PTEs pay their student fees to an independent trustee, who holds those fees on trust for the student and the PTE. A Trust Deed then allows a trustee to make payments, from the student’s fees, to the PTE, the student’s accommodation provider or directly to the student. The trustee holds these fees in a separate trust bank account.
Students should pay their fees directly to the trustee, therefore protecting their fees. For those who do pay to their PTE directly, the PTE must pay the trustee on their behalf by the next business day. Domestic students paying student fees through a student loan will require their loan provider to pay the fees directly to the trustee.
Prior to paying student fees, the PTE will provide the student with a payment schedule to sign. This contains dates and amounts of payments and confirms the amount paid to the trustee/PTE. This is the amount that will be protected.
If a course is longer than three months and a student withdraws within nine days after the course commences, the trustee and the PTE should be informed as soon as possible. The trustee will then refund them (or their student loan provider) the balance of their student fees, less the PTE's administration cost of $500 or 10% of the total student fees (whichever is less). If withdrawing on or after the 9th day after course commenced, then refund will depend on the withdrawal and the PTE’s refund policy.
International student on a five-week course have up to two days to withdraw and get a refund. For courses between five and 13 weeks, the maximum limit is five days to withdraw and get a refund. For those who withdraw after the "trial" period (three months), then getting a refund deposit will depend on the withdrawal and refund policy of the PTE.
If a course is unable to continue students can receive a refund of the balance of their student fees held by the trustee, which have not already been paid to the PTE. If a domestic student with a student loan, the loan provider will be paid the appropriate portion of their student fees.
For those who transfer to another course provider then the trustee will transfer their student fees to another course provider's student fee protection arrangement. A summary of the Student fee protection policy is available in English and Chinese. For further information visit the NZQA website: www.nzqa.govt.nz/for-learners/rights/trustdeed-guidance.html. You can also talk to your PTE.
Korean Teachers Meet Kiwi Teachers
AIS St Helens welcomed 16 primary school teachers from Korea recently.
The teachers from Ulsan City, a large industrial region, spent four weeks participating in the AIS St Helens English Language Centre (ELC), upgrading their language skills and working with ELC teachers.
Student Services Marketing Officer Michelle Chung says that the feedback from the teachers was very positive. ” Compared to other overseas English training, they said our programmes, materials and teachers are very good,” says Michelle.
Michelle says the purpose of the visit was to provide the teachers with an opportunity to learn and develop their English teaching skills. The Korean teachers were also able to learn new tips and strategies from AIS St Helens teachers.
As well as studying in the ELC, the Korean visitors also enjoyed fun activities such as sightseeing trips around Rotorua, the Bay of Islands and Auckland. They were treated with a local school visit and a farewell lunch. We hope to see them back next year for our Teaching English as a Foreign Language Certificate programme.
Go to topAIS St Helens’ Idols
The newest New Zealand Idols are none other than our very own John Wood and Mike Roberts – well almost. John and Mike, who are AIS St Helens staff, demonstrated their singing talent at the AIS St Helens Karaoke night recently.
Approximately 100 staff and students attended the July 9th event, which also involved guitar, drum, keyboard and singing performances. In addition to the entertainment, those who attended were also able to sample delicious spit roasts, a new taste sensation for some.
Korean Karaoke Night
Being a student at AIS St Helens is more than just studying, as a group of Korean students recently proved. Approximately 35 people attended the Korean karaoke night held at a local restaurant. AIS St Helens student services officer Michelle Chung and the Korean Events Committee organised the evening.
Michelle says it was an excellent opportunity for students to get together. "It was overwhelming that many students joined in spite of bad weather. Not only were there Korean, but also Chinese, Thai and Japanese students who attended and enjoyed the diversity.”
She says it was so much fun that any issues such as study pressure or loneliness could be put aside. Michelle adds that the students are grateful to AIS St Helens and cannot wait for the next event.
Lords of The Kickboxing Ring
The kickboxing night held at AIS St Helens recently was an exhilarating event. Weary kick-boxers battled in the ring as the mesmerised audience hollered for their favourite.
The event began between two young rivals taking each other on in the ring. As the night wore on the battles became bloodier as bruised noses took a beating.
For spectators of the sport, kickboxing is certainly not for the faint-hearted; however, most would agree that the skill involved was admirable. As sponsors of the event, AIS St Helens Asquith gymnasium was the ideal venue.
More Student Support
AIS St Helens is bringing on board further English language support for the Bachelor in International Business.
In response for requests from students and lecturers, a supported stream has been developed to complement the stage one Bachelor of International Business courses and courses pre-selected in the pre-MBA stream. For students who may be just under the English entry requirement for their selected programme, or students who have met the minimum English entry requirement but feel they need English language support, the opportunity now exists to take classes in English that have been tailored to their stage one or pre-MBA course. For example, students entering the supported stream can take the Business Communication course and the Business Communication supported course. They will receive vocabulary development and skills development related to Business Communication in the supported course for two hours a week for twelve weeks, in addition to their regular lectures and tutorials.
The joint English Language Centre and School of International Studies venture seeks to help students succeed in their business studies. For more information on the entry requirements to the Bachelor of International Business and the Master of Business Administration, and the supported stream courses, please see your student services officer.
Building Relationships In Vietnam
AIS St Helens positive reputation is growing in Vietnam, as Anatole Bogatski the Director of Student Services and Marketing recently discovered.
Dr Bogatski spent two weeks in Vietnam with the purpose of making contact with long-standing agents and discussing AIS St Helens programmes with new agents.
Dr Bogatski says the long-standing agents were very knowledgeable about AIS St Helens and keen to promote our English pathways. “ They, and the newer agents are very interested in our upcoming Graduate Diploma in Commerce (Deakin Master of Commerce support programme) and the Bachelor of Tourism Management. They also thought that the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology would be popular in Vietnam.”
The highlight of the trip for Dr Bogatski was discovering the many Vietnamese people who knew about AIS St Helens. Some had visited the institute in Auckland and others had met AIS St Helens marketing staff from previous visits. He says their opinions about AIS St Helens were always positive.
Dr Bogatski says Vietnam is an important market. “We have already begun developing this market and we must continue the process. The Vietnamese people are getting richer and in the big cities the middle-class are sending their children abroad for education. The total population is large, so over the next ten years the size of this middle-class market will grow quickly and possibly become as significant for us as the Thai market.”
Dr Bogatski says he was struck by the friendliness of the Vietnamese people and how many of them had heard that New Zealand was also a friendly place. He adds that this is a major marketing feature for all Kiwi institutions there.
Changes To English Proficiency Assessment
The English Proficiency Assessment (EPA) is an internal English language competency assessment for AIS St Helens’ diploma and degree programmes. Thousands of students have taken the EPA since its inception. So far in 2004 over 290 students have taken the assessment. In response to concerns about the administration and content of the EPA, AIS St Helens has begun a process to change the EPA to make it friendlier for students.
We’ll keep you updated as changes to the EPA happen. We hope to be able to announce the development of an EPA Preparation booklet to become available to students by October.
For further information please contact your Student Services Officer.
Immigration News
New Zealand new residency approvals target has been lifted to 50,000 for the coming year. The points required, which determine residency, and status have also changed. Under the old points system, any applicant with the requisite number of points at a given time qualified for residency, whether or not his or her skills were in demand.
Under the new system, potential migrants register an expression of interest if they pass a minimum 100 points. They then enter a pool and those with the highest number of points are invited to apply for residence. Selections for the pool are conducted every fortnight. The latest selection point was 130.
Points can be gained for skilled employment or an offer of skilled employment, work experience, recognized qualifications and your age. Bonus points are given for areas where there are skill shortages in New Zealand.
Here is an example of someone qualifying for 135 points:
- Offer of skilled employment in New Zealand = 50 points
- Two year qualification completed in New Zealand = 10 points
- Recognised basic qualification (trade qualification, diploma or degree) = 50 points
- Age 31 = 25 points
Culture Event
A jubilant and colourful crowd celebrated multicultural diversity at AIS St Helens cultural night last Friday.
The event, which attracted the public, AIS St Helens staff and students, was so popular that more chairs had to be placed in the Asquith sports hall.
Academic Director Mike Roberts says the evening was an outstanding success.
“ For me I think the highlight was a group of largely Maori and Pasifika young people from South Auckland performing an Indian dance. This received a resounding endorsement from the Indian members of staff who got up and joined them impromptu.”
Opening the night was an energetic performance from Rangeview Intermediate’s kapa haka group. Tongan and Samoan acts, a Korean worship dance and a Japanese recital wowed the crowd, while skillful keyboard musician and IT tutor Naweed Qadir entertained with his rendition of familiar tunes.
Adding to the fun was a modern Indian dance, which enticed brave spectators on to the stage to test their dancing talent. Finally ending the successful event was a moving performance from talented singers and AIS St Helen students Joe and Helen.
Mike says this kind of effort to reach out and learn about other people's culture is an investment, which reaps dividends in bridging the intercultural gaps in our society.
The Students Events Committee organized the event and a dedicated group of CBS/BYU students and AIS St Helens staff helped out behind the scenes.
We look forward to more AISSEC sponsored events this semester. A dance party is being organized. Those who wish to help with the organization of the dance party should see Carol Pito or Vaughan Bidios.
Marketing Trip In Tonga
Carol Pito, Maori and Pacific Island Student Services Officer, travelled to Tonga in May for the 2004 Tonga Trade Fair held at Queen Salote Hall in Nuku’alofa. As well as attending the fair, she was able to take part in school visits and college presentations. Carol was able to meet many graduates of AIS St Helens and meet with the school principals made during the trip and stronger relationships with schools will be maintained.
Enhancing Our World Focus
AIS St Helens Bachelor of International Business students can now take one year of studies in the United States. AIS St Helens has just concluded an articulation agreement with Johnson & Wales University from Providence, Rhode Island. Johnson & Wales University, America’s Career University, has a similar focus to AIS St Helens. They pride themselves on their international focus, their small classes, and their work-oriented degrees. Johnson & Wales University has 45 degree programmes across five campuses: Rhode Island, South Carolina, Florida, Colorado and Sweden.
Johnson & Wales University will accept AIS St Helens’ students who have completed an advanced diploma in business into their Bachelor of Business Administration or Bachelor of International Business, for a further year of study. These students will then graduate with a US degree.
AIS St Helens has added another partner to its growing list of partner institutions around the world. We are now looking to send students to Johnson & Wales University.
Immigration Points
A selection of Expressions of Interest under the Skilled Migrant Category took place today.
The selection point was 150, meaning Expressions of Interest with 150 points or more will now undergo preliminary verification to determine whether an Invitation to Apply for residence can be issued. The latest figures have dropped by ten points from the last selection round which was set at 160 points and is in line with the expectations of New Zealand Immigration Service.
Silicon Lake College Signing Ceremony
Silicon Lake College from PR China and AIS St Helens have extended their relationship during the recent trip to AIS St Helens by the Silicon Lake College delegation.
Deputy President, Professor Cai Chong- Wu, Assistant to the President, Professor Hou Jin Yuan, and Chairman of the College of Foreign Languages, Professor Wang Ji Gen came to visit AIS St Helens this May.
Their expressed intent was to foster further good relations between AIS St Helens and Silicon Lake College and extend the existing relationship. An agreement was drafted, ratified and signed by Deputy President Cai and AIS St Helens representatives. Signing the agreement for AIS St Helens were the President, Dr. Richard Goodall, and Deputy Chairman, Mr. John Wood.
The agreement came a week before the second cohort of 34 students from Silicon Lake College arrived at AIS St Helens. The agreement looks to extend this successful relationship well into the future.
Dubai and Muscat
When one thinks of the Middle East, one doesn’t usually think of towering glass and steel buildings, super-speed internet connections and e-government. But that’s the reality in Dubai reports James Ward after his visit to Dubai in April.
AIS St Helens is moving aggressively into new markets in 2004. The Middle East was opened as a market in 2002 by Richard Smith and was followed up by the visit to the United Arab Emirates and Oman this year by James. James visited Dubai and Muscat as a member of the Middle East Education Export Network and participated in fairs in both cities representing AIS St Helens and New Zealand education.
AIS St Helens’ publicity materials were distributed widely in the fairs. 100s of visitors came to the fairs to discuss programmes in New Zealand, including AIS St Helens’ MBA and BIB programmes.
James also visited our agents in the region, stimulating old relations and creating new relations. We look forward to future visits to the region and students coming from the Middle East.
Looking For A Few Good Partners
2004 has seen the establishment of an International Relations Department in AIS St Helens. The Department has grown to three people, Ms. Lina Li, Ms. Ada Yu and Mr. James Ward. They are busy working to advance two of AIS St Helens’ existing relations, Silicon Lake College in PR China and Novation Business School in Singapore.
Silicon Lake College has just sent its second cohort of students, bringing the total number of Silicon Lake students at AIS St Helens to 50. A visiting professor, Sue Chen, from Silicon Lake College Faculty of Business is also visiting for six months.
Novation opened its doors in 2004 and enrolled 30 students in its AIS St Helens’ business courses in Singapore. AIS St Helens is looking to bring these students and many more to New Zealand in 2006.
The International Relations staff are also looking to create new relationships with educational institutions in China, India, the Middle East, South America and Bangladesh. The word has gone out to agents of AIS St Helens worldwide to help to establish these relationships so if you know of some good partner institutions…
Semester Two Gets Underway
Semester 2 started on May 17 for certificate and degree students with the usual fun of Orientation. Highlights of the afternoon were the traditional New Zealand BBQ, sumo wrestling and last but not least the AIS St Helens version of ‘Fear Factor.’ Not for the faint-hearted ‘Fear Factor’ tasks included bobbing for coins and pickles in buckets of ice-cold water, drinking Waikato Mud consisting of Milo, seaweed, baked beans and milk and eating AIS St Helen’s secret recipe hamburgers containing sheep brains, tripe and other delights. Well done to all that were brave enough to participate and congratulations to the winning team who took home a DVD player. We look forward to the champions defending their title in Semester 3.
Update On Work Permits
The Work Permit division of New Zealand Immigration Service Auckland has confirmed that students graduating from AIS St Helens’ courses who meet all other criteria required to apply for a full time work permit will attract points under the skilled migrant policy and will be issued with two year work permits. This is to clarify any confusion that there may have been earlier in the year.
Go to top